SOCAL ICON, the annual solo vocal competition for talented young singers between the ages of 7 and 18, is back for a sixth consecutive year!(http://socalicon.com)

Boasting celebrity and industry judges from television, Broadway, film and recording; the annual singing contest is conducted over a three-month period beginning in June and concluding with final concert event on Saturday, August 31st.

Originally called Inland Idol and OC Idol, SOCAL ICON was designed to be more than just a talent contest. “Our goal was always to give young singers an opportunity to showcase and get constructive feedback from educators and industry professionals in a safe and friendly environment” according to Bruce Sampson, president of WBZB Entertainment/ICON Performing Arts (producer of the event.) Our mission statement is “To use the performing arts to positively impact children’s lives and that of our communities!”

Several of ICON’s past finalists and winners have enjoyed professional success after the contest. They include: Xenia Martinez (top three on NBC’s “The Voice”), Arianna Afsar (top 30 on “American Idol” 2009 & Miss California 2010) and Rachel Crowe (top 10 on “The X Factor”). Last year’s winner in the 11-14 age division, Natalia Loya, has recently signed a deal with MyTai/Genuine Records and credits SOCAL ICON as giving her the start she needed.

There are four opportunities to audition for this year’s competition:
• June 8th – The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center – Los Angeles, CA
• June 15th – The Village at Orange – Orange, CA
• June 22nd – South Coast Plaza – Costa Mesa, CA
• June 29th – Galleria at Tyler – Riverside, CA

The semifinals will take place on July 27th and the finals will take place as a concert event on Saturday, August 31st at The Margaret A. Webb Theater in Santa Ana. Three celebrity/industry judges and the audience members will all cast votes to choose three winners (one from each age group.)